From on-court fierce rivals to off-court besties has been the fascinating story of LeBron James and Draymond Green. They’ve had epic battles on the court, particularly during the four consecutive NBA Finals from 2015 to 2018 when Green’s Golden State Warriors and James’ Cleveland Cavaliers clashed.
However, that rivalry has seen a surprising transition into a strange and strong friendship, such that when Draymond Green had to make a career-defining decision, he had to turn to LeBron James for advice. He shared a story of when this happened when he appeared on a recent episode of “The Warner House.”
The one that stands out to me the most… was when I came to an inflection point of: do I leave the Warriors and go to Memphis or do I stay?… So I asked him, ‘Bron, what would you do?’… And I’m talking to Bron about it and he’s kind of saying it’s hard to pass up the money, but he keeps going back to everything Golden State means to me and everything that I’ve done there.
Draymond Green said on The Warner House podcast
Draymond Green talks about the most important piece of advice LeBron James has ever given to him:
“The one that stands out to me the most, more than anything, was when I came to an inflection point of: do I leave the Warriors and go to Memphis or do I stay?… So I asked him,… pic.twitter.com/WsNUUDDGhm
— Coach Yac 🗣 (@Coach_Yac) November 13, 2024
During the summer of 2023, veteran forward Green had contemplated leaving the Warriors as he had just entered free agency. He wanted a fresh start and admitted that he got close to leaving the team he won four NBA titles with, but ultimately decided to stay after he signed a four-year $100 million contract.
It seems the advice he got from King James played a role in his sticking with the Dubs. And, as for their friendship, he has been a vocal supporter of the Los Angeles superstar and they were both seen celebrating together when James won gold at the Paris Olympics games.
Draymond Green joins elite company with LeBron James in Warriors’ success story
At the Bay Area, Stephen Curry’s greatness has long been celebrated, but the Golden State Warriors’ success story also owes much to an often unsung hero, Draymond Green. Green is known for his basketball IQ and unique on-court presence, as he has been instrumental in the Warriors’ dynasty, where he adds an invaluable mix of defense, playmaking, and intensity.
As a four-time NBA champion and former Defensive Player of the Year, his influence stretches beyond the stat sheet, where traditional numbers may not fully capture his contributions. His recent Instagram post reflected this sentiment, as he acknowledged his milestone achievement as he is now ranked third all-time in games with 10+ assists by a non-guard, behind only Nikola Jokic and LeBron James.
In the current season, the veteran is averaging 8.5 points, 5.1 rebounds, and 5.1 assists per game, as he has maintained his legacy as a crucial playmaker and defensive anchor. Though not known for scoring, his court vision has allowed Curry and others to maximize their offensive opportunities.
